The Highest-Paid NBA Small Forwards From 1988-2023

• LeBron James has been the NBA’s highest-paid small forward every season since 2016

• There have been 16 small forwards to lead their position in salary since 1988

• LeBron James made the most money by a small forward in any season in 2022-23 with a $44.48 million salary

Over the last 36 years, some of the greatest players in NBA history have called the small forward position their primary position on the court. LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Kevin Durant are just a few examples of the top 20 players in NBA history to have played small forward. While they were busy dominating their opponents on the court, they also set precedents in other ways, such as their financial compensation for their fine play. 

Just as we have covered with NBA point guards and shooting guards since 1988, it is time to discuss the highest-paid small forwards within that time frame. Once again, you will note the evolution of NBA salaries over the course of this time period as players went from $1 million deals to the hundreds of millions of dollars that they earn today. 

Although money is the focus of the information below, it is also important to cover what these players did during the time they were considered the highest-paid players in their position. Season-by-season, we will examine these contracts, where they ranked among the rest of the NBA, and how each player impacted their team while earning these lucrative deals. This is as in-depth as it gets on a per-season basis.

These are the highest-paid NBA small forwards from 1988 through 2023.

1987-88 Season – Larry Bird – $1,800,000

As always, we get our list started with the 1987-88 season when Larry Bird was the highest-paid NBA small forward. Bird had already been a three-time MVP and three-time NBA champion at this point, aiming for number four on both fronts. Bird’s $1.8 million salary for the season ranked sixth in the NBA overall. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the NBA with a $2.5 million salary while Bird’s teammate Robert Parish ranked fifth with a $2.04 million salary.

During the season, Bird would have another MVP-caliber run with 29.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He shot 52.7% from the field overall, 41.4% from three, and 91.6% from the foul line. It would be the second of back-to-back 50/40/90 seasons as the Celtics won 57 games and they secured the first seed in the Eastern Conference.

In the NBA playoffs, Bird would lead the Celtics past the Knicks and Hawks in the first two rounds of play, leading to an Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Detroit Pistons. Bird would struggle somewhat in the series, battling back injuries that plagued almost his entire career. Uncharacteristically, Bird shot just 35.1% overall in the six-game series and averaged 19.8 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. The Pistons would wrap up the series in six games and advance to the NBA Finals while the Celtics were sent home early.

1988-89 Season – Larry Bird – $1,800,000

Larry Bird’s salary of $1.8 million would stay the same for the 1988-89 season just as would his standing as the sixth-highest-paid player in the NBA. His salary remained behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Patrick Ewing, and Robert Parish for the most in the league which was still a handsome reward for one of the NBA’s most talented players.

The season would not be a good one for Bird or for the Celtics though. Due to his back issues lingering and not seeing any improvement, Bird was held to just six games played during the regular season. In those six games, he averaged just 19.3 points per game on 47.1% shooting before being shut down. With Bird’s injury, the Celtics limped their way into the playoffs with a 42-40 record.

In the playoffs, the Celtics found themselves in another series with the Detroit Pistons, this time in the first round. With Bird unable to go, the Celtics turned to Reggie Lewis and Kevin McHale to carry them through. Unfortunately, that duo could not hold up against the tough Pistons squad and were swept in three games from the playoffs in pretty dominant fashion. Detroit would go on to win the NBA championship over the Los Angeles Lakers just a few weeks later.

1989-90 Season – Chris Mullin – $3,330,000

When the 1989-90 season rolled around, Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors was entering his fifth season in the NBA. He was coming off his first All-Star team selection in 1989 and was rewarded handsomely for it with the second-highest salary in the NBA at $3.33 million. This salary trails only Patrick Ewing’s $3.75 million for the highest in the game at the time.

Mullin was the clear number one option for the Warriors at the time, averaging 25.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 53.6% shooting. Teammate Mitch Richmond also lit it up with 22.1 points per game on 49.7% shooting. Despite the duo’s production and Mullin’s second straight All-Star appearance, the Warriors struggled as a unit and won just 37 games which was not good enough to qualify them for the NBA playoffs.

1990-91 Season – Chris Mullin – $2,850,000

Even with a small decrease in salary, Chris Mullin remained the NBA’s highest-paid small forward in 1990-91 with a $2.85 million salary. The contract ranked fifth in the NBA for the season trailing only Patrick Ewing, Hot Rod Williams, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley. It was the second season in a row that Mullin led small forwards in salary coming off back-to-back All-Star selections.

This season would be a much better one for the Golden State Warriors as a team as well. Mullin earned his third straight All-Star selection with 25.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 53.6% shooting from the field. With over 22.0 points per game from both Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond as well, the Warriors won 44 games and advanced to the NBA playoffs.

In the first round, the Warriors would blow through the San Antonio Spurs in four games led by Mullin’s 25.3 points per game on 52.2% shooting. It was a massive upset as the seventh-seeded Warriors took down the second-seeded Spurs. This set up a series with the Lakers in the second round, a series that Golden State stood no chance in. Despite 22.0 points per game or more from all three members of Run TMC, the Lakers annihilated the Warriors and sent them packing in five games.

1991-92 Season – Larry Bird – $7,070,000

By the time that 1991-92 rolled around, it was as clear as day that Larry Bird was not going to be able to fight off his back injuries any longer. This season was going to be his final one on the NBA hardwood as a player and the Celtics decided to make him the NBA’s highest-paid player as a parting gift. Bird’s $7.07 million salary was nearly double that of the NBA’s second-highest-paid player, Hot Rod Williams at $3.79 million.

As a result of his lingering injuries, Bird was able to play just 45 games during the 1991-92 season, averaging 20.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on 46.6% shooting from the field. Thanks to 20.8 points per game from Reggie Lewis, the Celtics would go on to win 51 games and advance to the NBA playoffs for a chance to send Larry Bird off as an NBA champion.

With a sweep of Indiana in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics would advance to play the Cavaliers in round two. Bird was a shell of himself, able to make just two starts and appear in only four games of the seven-game set. Boston deserves credit for being able to fight without their leader but in the end, Cleveland would emerge victorious in Game 7 behind 28 points from Brad Daugherty. One of the greatest careers in NBA history had now come to a close.

1992-93 Season – Dominique Wilkins – $3,500,000

One of the great scorers, and overall players of the 1980s and 1990s was Larry Bird’s on-court rival, Dominique Wilkins. In 1992-93, Wilkins took the top spot as the NBA’s highest-paid small forward with a $3.5 million salary. He was tied with Kevin McHale for the sixth-highest salary in the NBA at the time with David Robinson leading the way making $5.7 million.

The 1992-93 season would be Wilkins’ final full season with the Atlanta Hawks. He would play 71 games and averaged 29.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 46.8% shooting overall from the field, earning his eighth straight All-Star selection and leading his Hawks team to 43 wins. They may have made the NBA playoffs but were overmatched heavily in their first series.

That’s because they drew the two-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in their opening series. Wilkins was incredible, averaging 30.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 42.7% shooting. He would be outshined by Michael Jordan and the rest of the Bulls team as Jordan averaged 34.3 points per game on 52.6% shooting to lead Chicago in a sweep over Atlanta.

1993-94 Season – John Williams – $4,886,000

John Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers had one of the worst contracts in NBA history. In 1991-92, the team suspended Williams due to being overweight, and with nearly $4.9 million due to him in 1993-94, this was not the trend the Clippers were hoping for after acquiring him from the Washington Bullets. Williams was set to be the third-highest-paid player in the NBA but ended up playing like the 300th-highest-paid player.

For the Clippers in 1993-94, Williams managed to play just 34 games in total with six of them being starts. He averaged 21.1 minutes played per game and 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on the court. At the time, the Clippers were one of the worst teams in the NBA, and their employment of Williams was just one example of how poorly run they were as an organization. The Clippers would win just 27 games that season, failing to make the playoffs, and Williams would play just one more season for the Pacers before retiring in 1995.

1994-95 Season – James Worthy – $7,250,000

After being selected first overall by the Lakers in the 1982 NBA Draft, James Worthy would go on to have an incredible 12-year career worthy of a Hall of Fame induction in 2003. Worthy would win three NBA titles with the Lakers during the 1980s and a Finals MVP award in 1987. He also earned seven All-Star selections and two All-NBA Team selections during that time, cementing his spot as one of the greatest players in Lakers history.

The only issue with Worthy being the highest-paid small forward in 1994-95 is the fact that he decided to retire following the 1993-94 season. That’s right, Worthy did not see a single minute of action for the season in which he earned $7.25 million from the Lakers which also made him the third-highest-paid player in the entire NBA.

1995-96 Season – A.C. Green – $6,473,000

After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Lakers, the 1995-96 season marked the second year A.C. Green would be a member of the Phoenix Suns under coach Paul Westphal. Green was known for his durability and defensive efforts, playing all 82 games 14 times in 16 seasons. This season with the Suns, Green would be the seventh-highest-paid player in the NBA, making nearly $6.5 million.

Green was never one to light up the scoreboard. During the 1995-96 season with Phoenix, Green Would play all 82 games, mostly off the bench, averaging 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Phoenix was about as average as it gets as a team, going 41-41 on the season to just sneak into the NBA playoffs. In the first round, they would draw a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs, the first overall seed in the West.

Green would see four starts at small forward in the series averaging just 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Spurs would dismantle the Suns in four games, winning the series 3-1. Thus, Green’s season as the highest-paid small forward in the NBA was finished.

1996-97 Season – Sean Elliot – $5,333,000

The 1996-97 season was not a good one in terms of small forwards being paid good money. Sean Elliot of the San Antonio Spurs would be the highest-paid small forward with a salary of $5.33 million which ranked 23rd overall in the NBA for that season.

In 1996-97, Elliot was coming off his second career All-Star appearance with the Spurs averaging 20.0 points and 5.1 assists per game. He would follow that up with a modest 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in 1996-97. Other than 38-year-old Dominique Wilkins with 18.2 points per game, Elliot was their leader on the court but it amounted to just 20 wins for San Antonio, one of their worst seasons in franchise history.

1997-98 Season – Larry Johnson – $8,460,714

The 1997-98 season would see a decent uptick in salary across the NBA with Larry Johnson taking the top spot for small forwards with a $8.5 million salary. Johnson’s 1997-98 deal landed him 14th on the list for players with the highest salaries that season with Michael Jordan leading the NBA at $33.14 million.

During this season, Johnson would make the switch from his natural position of power forward to small forward for the New York Knicks. Johnson would be the Knicks’ third-leading scorer with 15.5 points per game along with 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on 48.5% shooting on the season. This would help the Knicks win 43 games and make their way to the NBA playoffs.

In the playoffs, the Knicks would earn a first-round victory over the Miami Heat, defeating the second-seed as the number seven seed in the East. Johnson would contribute 20.8 points per game on 47.5% shooting to aid in the victory. The next round against the Indiana Pacers would not go as planned for New York as they dropped the series in five games thanks to Reggie Miller. Johnson’s production had dropped down to 15.0 points per game and the Knicks had been ousted from the playoffs once again.

1998-99 Season – Scottie Pippen – $11,000,000

After winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s under one of the worst contracts in basketball, Scottie Pippen was finally set free and joined the Houston Rockets along with Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. With the Rockets, Pippen would become the NBA’s 10th-highest-paid player earning $11 million for the first time in his career for a season.

The 1998-99 season would be shortened due to a player lockout down to 50 games. Pippen would average 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game for Houston as they went 31-19 to earn a trip to the NBA playoffs as the fifth seed. They would open their playoff run against the Los Angeles Lakers who were on the cusp of competing for championships.

In the series, Pippen would play extremely well. He averaged 18.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in four games. Unfortunately, that would not be enough for the Rockets to overcome the Lakers as they were dismissed in four games almost immediately. O’Neal led the way for the Lakers win with 29.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game.

1999-00 Season – Scottie Pippen – $14,795,642

Scottie Pippen would continue to lead all NBA small forwards in salary in 1999-00 which had to feel good after being so underpaid for so long with the Chicago Bulls. Pippen was now the sixth-highest-paid player in the NBA overall trailing only Shaq, Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, Juwan Howard, and Patrick Ewing. He was also now a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, moving on from the Rockets after just one season.

Pippen would play all 82 games for the Trail Blazers that season but was clearly not the same player he once was. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game to help Portland win 59 games and head toward the playoffs with a head of steam as one of the best teams in the NBA.

After going 7-2 in their first two playoff series, Portland was set to take on the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. The series would be a great one between the two best teams in the West, going the full seven games before a winner was decided. Pippen would average 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.6 steals in the series but Game 7 belonged to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers who would end up winning 107-102 behind 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists from Bryant.

2000-01 Season – Scottie Pippen – $13,750,000

For the third season in a row, Scottie Pippen continued his reign as the NBA’s highest-paid small forward with his $13.75 million salary. With the slight dip in pay, Pippen was now the 11th highest-paid player in the league overall and the only player in the top 11 who was not a wing or a guard.

Still, with the Portland Trail Blazers, it was clear that his back issues had become a bigger problem than in years past. He would play 64 games in the 2001 season, averaging 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Although he was no longer the total package on the court he once was, Pippen helped lead Portland to 50 wins and the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

It would be a bad string of luck that caused the Trail Blazers to face off with the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, the same team that dashed their championship hopes from the year before. This series would not be as close, however, with the Lakers sweeping Portland in three straight games. Pippen averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game for the series but 52.0 points per game combined from Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal was enough to make Portland look like they didn’t belong on the same court.

2001-02 Season – Scottie Pippen – $18,083,564

As his career began to wind down even more, Scottie Pippen was finally being rewarded for a career’s worth of achievements and accolades that were beyond well-deserved. In 2001-02, Pippen’s salary would jump to $18.1 million, giving him the fifth-highest salary in the NBA behind Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, and Juwan Howard.

Pippen would be limited to 62 games during the 2001-02 season and remained in a slight decline averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Clearly, he was still of help to a competing Portland team that went on to win 49 games and make the playoffs as the sixth seed. However, for the third straight season, the Trail Blazers would be met with a buzzsaw in the form of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Once again, while Portland was competitive, they were no match for the Lakers who would go on to sweep them in three games in the first round. Pippen would be Portland’s second-leading scorer with 16.3 points per game but 51.0 points per game would carry the Lakers to the easy victory yet again as they went on to three-peat as NBA champions.

2002-03 Season – Scottie Pippen – $19,727,524

In his final season as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, Scottie Pippen’s salary jumped all the way to $19.7 million. This kept Pippen as the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA for the second straight season and the NBA’s highest-paid small forward for the fifth straight year as well.

At 38 years old, Pippen would play 64 games and averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Led by other stars such as Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells, the Trail Blazers would advance to the NBA playoffs with a 50-32 record as the sixth seed in the West. This time in the playoffs, it would be the Dallas Mavericks that Portland would have to oppose during their first-round matchup.

The series would be a great one between two well-balanced teams. Dallas would take control of Game 7 and be led to a 107-95 win by Dirk Nowitzki with 31 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Pippen was only able to start one game in the series but appeared in four as he battled injury to average just 5.8 points and 3.3 assists per game.

2003-04 Season – Latrell Sprewell – $13,500,000

During the 2003 offseason, the New York Knicks managed to offload one of their big-money contracts to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Latrell Sprewell, the NBA’s highest-paid small forward joined eight other NBA players at the time who earned a $13.5 million salary for the season. Sprewell was the only player that played small forward earning that much money which tied him as the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA as well.

Sprewell joined league MVP Kevin Garnett at the time on the Timberwolves averaging 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Led by their MVP and Sprewell, the Timberwolves had one of their best seasons ever, finishing the season with a 58-24 record and momentum heading into the NBA playoffs. Over their first two series, the Timberwolves would defeat the Nuggets and Kings to set up a showdown with the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

The series would be a good one with Sprewell averaging 20.8 points per game on 40.7% shooting. However, Kobe and Shaq were too much for Minnesota with their 44.3 points per game combined to down Minnesota in six games and advance to their fourth NBA Finals in five seasons.

2004-05 Season – Latrell Sprewell – $14,625,000

Sprewell would remain with the Timberwolves for the 2004-05 season as well which would end up being the final time we saw him on the court as an NBA player. Sprewell was still tied with six other players as the eighth-highest-paid player in the NBA. He was earning along the same lines as such stars as Ray Allen and Allen Iverson for Minnesota.

Sprewell appeared in 80 games again for Minnesota during the season and averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 41.4% shooting. The Timberwolves were still a somewhat successful franchise as they went on to win 44 games and finish six games over .500. It would not be enough in a loaded Western Conference though, and the Timberwolves would miss the playoffs entirely.

As Sprewell negotiated his next contract in the offseason, he felt disrespected by the numbers being thrown his way by the team and elected to retire “rather than play for peanuts” in his own words. He would never play in the NBA again.

2005-06 Season – Grant Hill – $15,694,250

In the 2005-06 season, Grant Hill would overtake the top spot for small forwards with his $15.7 million salary. This tied him for the 14th-highest salary in the NBA with such stars as former teammate Tracy McGrady and Jalen Rose. With their $15.7 million salary, they were tied for the 14th-highest salary in the NBA overall while Shaq led the NBA earning $20 million.

Coming off an All-Star season in 2004-05 with Orlando, Hill would see his injuries begin to damper his NBA career even further. Hill would be healthy enough to play just 21 games with 17 starts averaging 15.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 49.0% shooting. The Magic were not as productive and competitive for the 2005-06 season, winning just 36 games and missing the NBA playoffs entirely. Not only were they in over their heads financially, but their product on the court was failing and they needed to do something quickly.

2006-07 Season – Michael Finley – $19,030,999

In the 2006-07 season, Michael Finley would make the switch back to small forward with the San Antonio Spurs, thus making him the NBA’s highest-paid player at the position. His $19.03 million salary made him the third-highest-paid player in the NBA behind Kevin Garnett’s $21 million and Shaquille O’Neal’s $20 million.

By this time, Finley was primarily a bench player for the Spurs, appearing in all 82 games with just 16 starts to his name in 2006-07. For the season, he averaged 9.0 points and 2.7 rebounds for them in that role as they won 58 games and earned the third seed in the West. In their first three playoff series, the Spurs would go 12-4, eliminating the Nuggets, Suns, and Jazz to earn a spot in the NBA Finals.

In the Finals, the Spurs would meet a young LeBron James and the Cavaliers. The Spurs were clearly the superior team as they went on to sweep the Cavaliers in four games for their fourth NBA title since 1999. Finley appeared in all four games off the bench but averaged just 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in the series.

2007-08 Season – Michael Finley – $21,696,750

Despite the clear decline in his play on the court, Michael Finley’s contract would make him the second-highest-paid player for the 2007-08 season. Finley’s $21.7 million salary now trailed only Kevin Garnett making $23.75 million for the highest annual salary in the entire league while Shaquille O’Neal remained at $20 million, making those three players the only ones earning at least $20 million for the season.

Finley still had some value to his game, making 82 appearances and 61 starts for the Spurs in 2007-08. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in his role for San Antonio as they went on to win 56 games and earn the third seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs would defeat the Suns and New Orleans Hornets in their first two playoff matchups, setting up a showdown with the Lakers in the Conference Finals.

That series belonged to the Lakers from start to finish. It took just five games for the Lakers to eliminate the defending champions as Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 29.2 points per game. Finley and his $21.7 million salary would start four of the five games with 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

2008-09 Season – Paul Pierce – $18,077,903

Coming off his first NBA championship and Finals MVP award, Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics would become the NBA’s highest-paid small forward making $18.08 million in 2008-09. The jump in pay for Pierce would make him the 13th highest-paid player in the NBA overall making one dollar less than Dirk Nowitzki and $6 million less than league-leader Kevin Garnett.

Pierce would have another great season with the Celtics. He earned his seventh career All-Star appearance averaging 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 45.7% from the field overall. Pierce and the Celtics would win 62 games and look primed for another championship run. After defeating the Bulls in seven games in the first round, they were set to meet the Orlando Magic in round two.

The series would be one of the best of the entire playoffs, needing seven games to claim a winner. Pierce would lead Boston with 18.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game but 25 points from Hedo Turkoglu and 16 rebounds and 5 blocks from Dwight Howard led the Magic to a Game 7 win. It was a disappointing end to a promising season for Boston but they were not done competing just yet.

2009-10 Season – Paul Pierce – $19,795,712

For the 2009-10 season, Pierce remained the NBA’s highest-paid small forward with a $19.8 million salary. Pierce was also the seventh-highest-paid player in the NBA behind Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dirk Nowitzki.

It was with good reason that the Celtics were paying Pierce the way they were. He was still an All-Star for Boston, averaging 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Pierce’s play led the Celtics to 50 wins and a berth in the NBA playoffs as the fourth seed in the East. In the playoffs, the Celtics would dismiss their first three opponents with a 12-5 record to advance to their second NBA Finals in three years.

In the Finals, they would meet a familiar foe in Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Having defeated them in 2008, Boston knew they had a chance once again. The series would go seven games with Boston unfortunately folding under the pressure. Pierce averaged 18.0 points per game in the defeat while Finals MVP Kobe Bryant went for 28.6 points per game to win the championship.

2010-11 Season – Rashard Lewis – $19,573,711

One of the surprises on this entire list is the fact that Rashard Lewis became the NBA’s highest-paid small forward for the 2010-11 season. Lewis had signed a massive deal with the Orlando Magic in 2009 which made its appearance for the first time in 2010-11. Lewis was now the second-highest-paid player in the NBA overall behind Kobe Bryant.

Lewis would begin the season with the Magic averaging 12.2 points per game through 25 contests. In December 2010, Lewis would be traded to the Washington Wizards for Gilbert Arenas. In 32 games for the Wizards, Lewis would average 11.4 points per game on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Wizards finished as one of the worst teams in the NBA with a 23-59 record, missing the NBA playoffs entirely.

2011-12 Season – Rashard Lewis – $21,136,631

With his monster contract still intact, Rashard Lewis remained the highest-paid small forward for the 2011-12 season. Lewis was now making $21.14 million for the season which was the fifth-highest salary in the NBA. Lewis now trailed only Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan when it came to their annual salary.

Lewis would remain with the Washington Wizards for the 2011-12 season where he averaged 7.8 points per game while only appearing in 28 games total. Of those 28 games, Lewis made only 15 starts, splitting his time as a starter and off the bench when he wasn’t injured. The Wizards were even worse off than in 2011, winning only 20 games in 2012 and yet again missing the NBA playoffs in its entirety.

2012-13 Season – Carmelo Anthony -$19,450,000

The 2012-13 season would be the year that Carmelo Anthony’s massive signing with the New York Knicks made him the NBA’s highest-paid small forward. Now making $19.45 million, Anthony was the seventh-highest-paid player in the NBA for the Knicks. In the long run, Carmelo’s contract was just another expense for a Knicks team that has spent billions of dollars on players yet hasn’t been back to the NBA Finals since 1999.

Anthony would go on to have an incredible individual season. He would win his first scoring title with 28.7 points per game while shooting 44.9% overall and 37.9% from three. With an MVP-caliber season from Anthony, the Knicks won 54 games and earned the second seed in the East. They would defeat the Celtics in six games in the first round, setting up a showdown with the Indiana Pacers in round two.

The series would be tough as the Pacers were led by Paul George and Roy Hibbert. Anthony would do his best with 28.5 points per game on 43.3% shooting but it would be the Pacers who advanced to the Conference Finals in six games.

2013-14 Season – Carmelo Anthony – $21,490,000

Carmelo Anthony’s massive deal allowed him to hold on to the title of the NBA’s highest-paid small forward. He made $21.5 million in 2013-14 and was now the fifth-highest-paid player in the NBA overall. He trailed only Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Gilbert Arenas, and Amar’e Stoudemire for that honor.

Anthony would have yet another All-Star season with 27.4 points per game on 45.2% shooting overall and an incredible 40.2% shooting from three. For the Knicks, it made no difference in their production as a team. In one of their most disappointing seasons ever, the Knicks would miss the playoffs with a 37-45 record. With over $43.5 million invested in both Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks were left bewildered as to how to turn things around.

2014-15 Season – Carmelo Anthony – $22,458,401

Even after the disappointing 2014 season, Carmelo Anthony’s contract continued to eat away at the books of the New York Knicks. Anthony was still not only the highest-paid small forward in the NBA but also trailed Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson as the highest-paid players in the NBA. It is just too bad that money doesn’t always take health into account.

Carmelo Anthony would miss 42 games of the 2012-15 season while dealing with injury. In the 40 games he did play, he averaged 24.2 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field. The rest of the Knicks could not pick up the slack in his absence and they would go on to have one of the worst seasons in franchise history. They finished the year 17-65 and once again had to go back to the drawing board as a franchise.

2015-16 Season – LeBron James – $22,970,500

Finally, LeBron James would take his spot atop the NBA’s small forward hierarchy in terms of money for the 2015-16 season, making just under $23 million in the year. He was now the second-highest-paid player in the NBA behind only Kobe Bryant’s $25 million salary.

LeBron James was coming off the first season of his comeback with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a berth in the NBA Finals. James was determined to deliver a championship to his hometown team which he promised to do years ago when he was drafted in 2003. James would have a stellar season in 2016, averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game on the year. The Cavaliers won 57 games and advanced to the NBA playoffs.

The Cavaliers, led by James, would go 12-2 over their first three series, setting up a rematch with the Warriors in the NBA Finals. The 73-9 Warriors got off to a fast start building a 3-1 series lead. What followed was a masterclass by James and teammate Kyrie Irving to orchestrate the greatest comeback and upset in NBA Finals history. James would lead the Cavaliers to three straight wins and deliver the NBA title he had promised to Cleveland with a Finals MVP performance of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game.

2016-17 Season – LeBron James – $30,963,450

Following the incredible 2016 season and run to the NBA championship, LeBron James’ salary would jump to over $30 million which made him the highest-paid player in the NBA. The Cavaliers were now on Cloud 9 thanks to James and they rewarded him with the NBA’s richest contract.

James would have yet another season worthy of MVP consideration with 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. Cleveland would win 51 games and earn the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. James led Cleveland to a dominant run in the playoffs with a 12-1 record over their first 13 games to advance to the NBA Finals for the seventh straight season as an individual. James and the Cavaliers were set to meet the Warriors yet again in a fight for NBA supremacy.

This time, the Cavs were completely overmatched as the Warriors added Kevin Durant in response to their 2016 collapse. With this addition, they were virtually unbeatable and despite James’ incredible play, would win the NBA championship in just five games. Kevin Durant would be named the MVP of the Finals with 35.2 points per game in the win.

2017-18 Season – LeBron James – $33,285,709

LeBron James would receive a slight raise as his contract went on with the Cavaliers, getting a boost to $33.29 million for the 2017-18 season. He was no longer the highest-paid player in the NBA though as that honor went to Stephen Curry with his $34.68 million salary. Although the Cavaliers had lost Kyrie Irving, they knew they had a chance as long as James led their team, and that he did.

James would have an MVP-esque season yet again with 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. The Cavaliers would win 50 games, qualify for the playoffs, and get a chance to defend their Eastern Conference crown. With a 12-6 record and two seven-game series wins, the Cavaliers went back to the NBA Finals with James making an NBA -record eighth straight.

This set up one final showdown in the NBA Finals between the Cavaliers and Warriors. James would have an all-time great series with 34.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game. However, the Cavaliers could not match the Warriors’ firepower yet again and were swept in four games by Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Golden State. It would be the final time we ever saw LeBron James in a Cavaliers uniform.

2018-19 Season – LeBron James – $35,654,150

After leaving Cleveland for the second time, LeBron James decided to take his talents west to Hollywood and join the Los Angeles Lakers. He now trailed Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook for the title of the NBA’s highest-paid play but was tied for third with Chris Paul making $35.65 million.

Due to freak injuries and personnel issues, LeBron James would play just 55 games in the 2018-19 season for Los Angeles. During those 55 games, he averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game on 51.0% shooting. The absence of James would be far too much for the Lakers to overcome for 37 games and they slipped out of the playoff race with a 37-45 record. The Lakers were down but they were not out just as they would show us in 2020.

2019-20 Season – LeBron James – $37,436,858

In the 2020 season, LeBron James would remain the NBA’s highest-paid player but fall to sixth when it came to overall pay in the NBA. James’ $37.44 million salary was now sixth in the NBA trailing Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, John Wall, and James Harden. The 2020 season would be halted abruptly by the COVID-19 pandemic with the Lakers at 52-19 on the year through 71 games.

The break would be just what the Lakers needed as they were the odds-on favorite to win the NBA championship when the NBA restarted in a bibble format at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers would win their first three series all in five games led by James’ 27.6 points per game along with Anthony Davis’ 27.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

In the NBA Finals, James and the Lakers were set to take on his former team, the Miami Heat, led by superstar Jimmy Butler. As valiantly as the Heat fought, James was too much for them to handle and he led the Lakers to their 17th NBA championship, tied for the most all-time. James would win his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP award with 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.

2020-21 Season – LeBron James – $39,219,566

In 2020-21, LeBron James would retain his title as the NBA’s highest-paid small forward with a massive $39.22 million salary. He was now the seventh-highest-paid player in the NBA behind six players making a minimum of $40 million on the year which was the most in NBA history at the time.

The 2021 season was an up-and-down one for the Lakers which saw both James and Anthony Davis struggle to stay on the court thanks to injury. James would play just 45 games for L.A. that season, the least amount of games he had ever turned in for one year. Still, he averaged 25.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game to help the Lakers qualify for the NBA’s newly installed Play-In tournament.

After getting through the play-in against the Warriors, the Lakers drew a first-round matchup with the Phoenix Suns. James and Davis continued to hobble their way through the series in a gutsy performance by both. Guts does not win championships, however, and Phoenix would go on to eliminate the Lakers in Game 6. Despite the early exit, the Lakers were hopeful for the future behind their dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

2021-22 Season – LeBron James – $41,180,544

The Lakers would make a big splash on the trade market before the start of the 2022 season by acquiring point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. James was now the sixth-highest-paid player in the NBA and officially a member of the $40 million club with a $41.18 million salary.

As the season went on, it was clear that Westbrook’s fit with the team was unnatural, to say the least, and the Lakers struggled mightily. James would be limited to 56 games yet again due to injury as the Lakers limped their way to a pathetic 33-49 record. Fans and media members everywhere called for the trade of Westbrook after the season which would not be honored until the middle of 2022-23 but it would be a deal that paid off massively in the Lakers’ favor.

2022-23 Season – LeBron James – $44,478,988

After a slow start to the 2022-23 season, the Los Angeles Lakers would make a drastic series of moves to bolster their roster and make a push for the NBA playoffs. LeBron James was now making $44.5 million for the season which made him the fourth-highest-paid player in the NBA, and he would end up earning every penny.

About midway through the season, James would make history by becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. From that moment forward, the team rode the momentum to a playoff berth. James would appear in 55 games averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game, helping the Lakers to 49 wins and a win in the play-in tournament to advance to the playoffs.

Even with James struggling to find his shooting stroke, shooting 26.4% from three, the Lakers managed to eliminate both the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors to advance to the Western Conference Finals. In this matchup against the Denver Nuggets, they were clearly up against the team of destiny as Denver went on to sweep the Lakers in four games. 

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